The effect of haram lasts for forty days

Question

Is it true that if a person eats or drinks anything haram, intentionally or unknowingly, then his du’as and ibadaat will not be accepted for forty (40) days? Does the same ruling apply to intoxicants? Jazakallah

Imam Hakim has classified it as authentic (sahih). Hafiz Dhahabi (rahimahullah) has also attested to this.

(Mustadrak Hakim vol.4 pg.146)

Similar narrations from various other Sahabah have been recorded by Imams: Abu Dawud, Hadith: 3672, Ibn Habban in his Sahih, Hadith: 5357 and others. (Refer al-Targhib vol.3 pg.265-266)

‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahullah) while commenting on this Hadith mentions, ‘The reason for Salat being specifically mentioned is that it is the highest form of worship. If Salat is not accepted in such a state, then it is more likely that the other acts of worship will not be accepted.’

(Faydul-Qadir vol.6 pg.158).

Note: Du’a is also an act of worship. This hadith discusses intoxicants only. Whether the same applies to all other haram items is understood from the Hadith in which Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasallam) cited the example of a man who was on journey, and in an extremely pitiful state he raises his hands in du’a begging Allah to assist him. Rasulullah (sallallahu’alayhi wasalam) said: “…but his food, drink and clothing was from haram sources, so how could his du’a be accepted?” (Sunan Abi Dawud)

It should be remembered that we are duty bound to fulfill certain deeds. Whether they are accepted or not is totally up to Allah Ta’ala.

However, it should be borne in mind that the one who makes sincere tawbah [repentance] is like one who hasn’t committed the sin at all. Therefore, one should not become despondent and leave out his salat for 40 days just because he had consumed haram. Instead, he should make sincere tawbah (repentance) and continue with his acts of worship.